AI Startup Artisan Accused of Stealing ‘This is Fine’ Comic Art

Artist KC Green has accused AI startup Artisan of using his 'This is fine' comic without permission. The comic was featured in a subway advertisement for Artisan's product, 'Ava the AI BDR,' a business development representative tool. Green's comic depicts a dog sitting in a burning room saying 'this is fine,' and has become a widely recognized internet meme.

Artisan acknowledged the complaint, stating that the company respects Green and plans to discuss the matter. The ad appeared in a subway, though specific locations and dates were not disclosed. As of the report, no legal action has been announced.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between AI companies and content creators over the use of copyrighted material. Artisan's use of the comic without permission has drawn criticism online, underscoring the broader debate over intellectual property rights in the age of generative AI.